South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive have announced that VolkerRail have been awarded the £4 million contract on the joint rail replacement project between SYPTE and Stagecoach Supertram. The work involves the replacement of 5,540 metres of track and is due to commence at the end of this month.
David Young, SYPTE Deputy Interim Director General, said: “When the tram system was installed in 1994, it was widely expected at the time that the rail would have a 30-year lifespan. However, over the past two years, it has become clear that this replacement work needs to be carried out sooner rather than later to ensure the people of Sheffield, and the wider region, have a robust and reliable tram network in the future.”
The first main phase of the project will see work concentrated on the section of track on Park Grange Road. This should start at the end of June and will last for approximately 12 weeks. At the same time other smaller scale works will take place at Granville Road, Ridgeway Road, City Hall, Shalesmoor, Albert Terrace Road and Ripley Street. Although the main job is likely to see midweek disruption the majority of the smaller jobs will take place at weekends. Replacement bus services will be in operation at all times of track closures.
VolkerRail have experience of track replacement works across the UK including on London Tramlink, Manchester Metrolink and Nottingham Express Transit.
During the first phase of the work a special tram only weekly megarider ticket will be available for just £11.50. This will be available for purchase on board the trams. Any passenger travelling on the tram and the bus will be able to purchase a megarider of £13.50.